Become a Teacher in Hawaii

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Teaching in Hawaii Snapshot

$59,250Secondary School Teacher Salary
$59,790Elementary School Teacher Salary
$13,748Public School Spending Per Student

All career and salary information pulled from the Bureau of Labor Statisticspupil expenditure information was provided by Governing

HAWAII STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Hawaii Public Schools Website
1390 Miller Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 586-3230

Explore Featured Degree Options in Education

Featured Online programs
University Name Type of Program Learn More Program Description
University of Southern California Master of Arts in Teaching Learn more about USC Rossier The online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from the University of Southern California Rossier School of Education prepares you to become a transformative K–12 teacher. Through live online classes and enriching field experiences in your community, you can earn your MAT in less than 18 months without relocating.
Fordham University Master of Science in Teaching Learn more from Fordham University Fordham University’s online Master of Science in Teaching program prepares aspiring teachers (grades 1-6) for initial teaching certification or dual certification in teaching and special education.
Vanderbilt University Master of Education in School Counseling Learn more about Vanderbilt Peabody Vanderbilt University's Peabody College offers an online Master of Education in human development counseling with a specialization in school counseling for students interested in becoming school counselors and making a meaningful difference in K–12 settings.

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Steps to Becoming a Teacher in Hawaii

Important Note: Education licensure requirements, statistics and other information are subject to change. Teach.com makes its best effort to keep content accurate; however, the official sources are the state education departments. Please confirm licensing requirements with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. (Last update: 02/02/2019)

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Prerequisite Coursework in Hawaii

All states require that prospective teachers have at least a Bachelor’s degree and complete a state-approved teacher preparation program to receive certification.  Some states also have specific course and credit-hour requirements. Hawaii does not list specific course or credit hour requirements, but every college or university teacher preparation program will have requirements of its own. Contact your teacher preparation program or the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board for more information.

 

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Hawaii Teacher Certification Programs

To earn your teaching credential you will have to complete the appropriate amount of undergraduate coursework and standardized tests, as well as an accredited certification program. A list of accredited teacher preparation programs in Hawaii can be found on the HTSB website.

 

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Required Tests for Hawaii

You can learn more about the Praxis exams by visiting Teach.coms' Ultimate Guide to the Praxis Exams and read more about teacher certification tests on Teach.com.

Initial Teaching Certifications

To earn your Hawaii teaching credential you will have to complete the appropriate amount of undergraduate coursework and standardized tests, as well as an accredited certification program. Learn more about getting your Teaching Credential in Hawaii on the Hawai'i Teacher Standards Board website.

Hawaii issues three types of licenses. The Provisional License, issued to graduates of Hawaii State Approved Teacher Education Programs, and is a 3-year nonrenewable license.The Standard License is available to approved applicants with valid teaching licenses or degrees from another state or with teaching experience outside Hawaii and have taught 3 of the previous 5 years. The Advanced License is available to teachers who have either completed a graduate degree or received a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certificate and have taught 5 of the previous 8 years.

Learn more about getting your teaching credential on Teach.com.

Discover an 8-week Online Teaching Short Course from Harvard's Bok Center

Learn more about an 8-week short course from Harvard's Bok Center

Earn recognition of your ability to develop and deliver a memorable teaching experience when you receive a premier certificate from Harvard’s Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, in association with HarvardX, upon successful course completion.

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Alternative Certification in Hawaii

Hawaii offers the Re-specialization in Special Education (RISE) licensing program that helps special education teachers with only a Bachelor's degree reach their certificate through a two-year integrated course of on-the-job training. There is also a one-year course for teachers who already hold an elementary or secondary teaching certificate but are not certified to teach special education. Veterans may also be eligible for the Mountain Pacific Region Troops to Teachers program.

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Hawaii Teacher Certification Information & Links

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Transferring Your Certification

Certification Reciprocity in Hawaii

Interstate reciprocity is a program that allows teachers certified in one state to teach in another state. To find out which other state teaching licenses can be used in Hawaii, visit the Teach.com reciprocity page. Or, for more specific questions about your situation, contact the Hawaii Department of Education.

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Jobs, Benefits, and Opportunities for Teachers in Hawaii

Hawaii Teaching Jobs

The Hawaii Department of Education maintains a Job Opportunities web page for educators, which provides information on openings and needed teaching specialties. Hawaii also recruits returning military personnel through the Troops to Teachers program.

Learn more about finding a teaching job on Teach.com.

Hawaii Teacher Salary and Incentives

The average teacher in Hawaii makes $57,647 per year according to the National Center for Education Statistics. More salary specifics based on education and experience can be found on the  Hawaii Teachers’ Salary Schedule for 2018-2019. Hawaii is currently experiencing a shortage in special education trained teachers, so additional salary and benefits are being offered in that area.

Learn more about teacher salaries on Teach.com.

Hawaii Teacher Benefits and Retirement

The Hawaii Department of Education offers several employee benefit plans. Retirement benefits are run through the Hawaii Employees’ Retirement System (ERS). Other benefits include optional health benefits through the Hawaii State Teacher Association Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Trust (HSTA VEBA), flexible spending accounts, tax deferral programs, Resources for Employee Assistance & Counseling Help (REACH), and workers’ compensation. Public employees in Hawaii can retire at age 60 with at least 10 years of service, and at age 55 with at least 25 years of service.

Learn more about benefits for teachers on Teach.com.

Hawaii Teacher Shortage Areas

The United States Department of Education defines a Teacher Shortage Area (TSA) as a subject matter or grade level within a state in which there is an inadequate supply of elementary or secondary teachers. The shortage may be caused by teaching positions that are unfilled or are filled by teachers who have temporary certification or teach in in academic subject other than their area of preparation. According to a report by the USDE Office of Postsecondary Education (Pg 45), Hawaii has the following Teacher Shortage Areas:

  • English/Reading
  • Foreign Languages
  • Hawaiian
  • Hawaiian Immersion
  • Mathematics
  • Special Education
  • Science
  • Vocational/Technical

Teacher Shortage information was provided by the U.S. Department of Education’s Teacher Shortage Areas Nationwide Listings for 2017–2018, and was determined by examining the most recent data about unfilled teaching positions; positions filled by teachers certified by irregular, provisional, temporary, or emergency certification; and teachers teaching in subject areas other than their area of preparation.

Financial Aid in Hawaii

Hawaii residents are eligible for the Applegate/Jackson/Parks Future Teacher Scholarship, as well as the TEACH Grant, which gives financial aid to students in return for an agreement to teach in a high-need school.

Learn more about how to finance your Master's degree on Teach.com.

Career Advancement

Professional Development for Hawaii Teachers

Professional Development in Hawaii is run by PDE3: Professional Development for Experiences that Educate and Empower. PDE3 runs the Teacher Professional Development Credit Program, through which teachers can take courses and reach Highly Qualified status. PDE3 also runs an integrated, multi-year induction program that provides activities and workshops for beginning teachers.

Benefits of a Master's Degree in Hawaii

It is no longer enough to just have years of experience for teaching. After No Child Left Behind and other academic quantification measures, the careers of teachers increasingly depend on their results in the classroom. A master's degree in the field of education can give you more educational theory and classroom skills, as well as more hands-on student teaching experience with a mentor. After a Master’s program, you may be able to achieve better results in the classroom and have more job security and higher pay.

Teachers holding a Master’s degree in Hawaii can expect to earn you $3,000 more, depending on years of experience than those with only a Bachelor’s degree.

Learn more about the benefits of a Master of Arts in Teaching vs. Master of Education on Teach.com.

Explore Featured Program Options in Education

Featured Online programs
University Name Type of Program Program Description
University of Southern California Master of Arts in Teaching The online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from the USC Rossier School of Education prepares you to become a transformative K–12 teacher. Through live online classes and enriching field experiences in your community, you can earn your MAT in less than 18 months without relocating.
Fordham University Master of Science in Teaching The online Master of Science in Teaching program prepares aspiring teachers (grades 1-6) for initial teaching certification or dual certification in teaching and special education.
Harvard University's Bok Center Advanced Certification in Teaching The 8-week Teaching and Learning Strategies for Higher Education online short course is delivered by Harvard’s Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, in association with HarvardX. Students in this course will engage deeply with the most relevant research on effective teaching methods in the higher education context, while refining their own practices, portfolio, and teaching philosophy.
Vanderbilt University Master of Education in School Counseling Vanderbilt University's Peabody College offers an online Master of Education in human development counseling with a specialization in school counseling for students interested in becoming school counselors and making a meaningful difference in K–12 settings.

Sponsored Program